Sunday, August 23, 2009

Rael Announces For Lt. Gov.

Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), today announced his candidacy for the office of Lieutenant Governor for the State of New Mexico.

“New Mexico faces tremendous challenges, but I also see tremendous opportunities. I am running for lieutenant governor because New Mexicans need a leader they can trust who has a proven track record and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle problems and provide real solutions,” Rael said. “I believe that I have shown that leadership, and that together we can build a better New Mexico.”

Rael has devoted more than 25 years in public service to building a better New Mexico. He served as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation under former New Mexico Governor Toney Anaya and as an Aide to Senator Jeff Bingaman. Other highlights in Rael’s long record of public service include serving as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque through three successive mayoral terms. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, a multi-county organization that assists in a variety of planning services ranging from transportation and land-use to workforce and economic development.

“Some of my proudest efforts are projects that produced real results for New Mexico families,” said Rael. “As city administrator, we successfully built programs that revitalized educational and family-oriented facilities such as Balloon Fiesta Park, Explora Science Center, the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Gardens, and the Isotopes Baseball Park.”

More recently as Executive Director of the MRCOG, Rael was the driving force behind the New Mexico RailRunner Express. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has become the fastest start-up of a commuter rail project in the country in the last 20 years. The project required working with more than 19 tribal and county governments, and creating partnerships necessary for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express’ successful completion. The Rail Runner demonstrates Rael’s ability to build consensus while respecting the diverse cultures of New Mexico.